Welcome to the opprotunity to take a learning adventure!

The extended menu for "Ready to Travel?" will take you to the pages designated specifically for each of the Learn and Serve club's upcoming learning adventure, which currently includes Austria, Germany and Switzerland for 2017. However, I wanted to use this page to answer a few questions that I have previously encountered, or that I might ask as a parent.

What is the Learn and Serve club?

The Learn & Serve club serves as a resource for students to participate in community service opportunities and projects, and to take learning adventures that will expand their knowledge, make connections to World that is outside of their rural Appalachian culture.

Why do you, Mrs. Pope, want to take students on tours?As a mother, nana, and teacher, I wanted to make sure that students have the opportunity to know that the world is bigger than what they normally encounter within a fifty-mile radius. Sure, they can see pictures, watch movies, and read books about travel, but the experience is not tangible until they take the adventure.

Who are the chaperons? My husband and I are the initial chaperons; however, there will be no less than one adult chaperon per six students. Of course, all adults on the tour are expected to help monitor the students, after all the trip is for the students.

Who can go on the trip?Students that show appropriate behavior, respect for others, and good manners. Students need to understand that they are representing themselves, their group, community, and country when traveling abroad. Students do not have to attend Knox Central High School to attend; however, please check with me, Mrs. Pope, before registering. My focus is to help as many students as possible to have the opprountity for a learning adventure.

Can adults go?Faculty members of the school system, and family members may travel with us; however, each adult family member must pass a volunteer background check, and meet the same criteria as the students (show appropriate behavior, respect for others, and good manners).

Is the trip expensive?Each tour varies in price; however, each is very reasonable in price. You can look on the EF Tours website for more specific information about the fee. Please remember that the amount you are paying to EF Tours covers airfare, private tour bus, any public transportation utilized, hotel, two meals per day, a bilingual tour guide with the group 24 hours a day, admission into all designated tourist attractions… Please feel free to compare EF Tours’ cost to that of round-trip airfare and you will immediately recognize the value.

Who pays for the trip?Each traveler is responsible for the cost of the trip. However, there are multiple opportunities for students to raise money through part-time jobs, fundraisers, and sponsorship. The effort the student puts forth in earning money to assist with the cost of the trip will determine what they earn.

Is a student allowed to use tobacco? NO! Students are not allowed to use tobacco products of any form during the tour. Adults are also asked not use tobacco products while in a tour-group setting.

If a student is of the legal drinking age at the destination, can he or she drink alcohol?NO! Students are not permitted to consume alcohol while on the tour.

Who decides rooming arrangements?I, Mrs. Pope, assign the roommates based on the following: Husband and wife are roommates; two adult females are roommates, two adult males are roommates, three to four female students per room(based on number of beds), and three to four male students per room (based on number of beds). However, EF Tours offers the option to pay extra for a family room or a single room. You can check their website or call customer service if that is something you are interested in pursuing.

What other expenses should I expect? There is tipping for bus drivers, but only if they move the luggage, and tour guides. One meal a day, unless you are a picky eater and do not like what is served at breakfast and/or dinner. You may also want extra money for snacks and drinks throughout the day; however, the days are fast paced with little time to sip on a coke. There are also souvenirs.

What if the destination is not safe at time of travel?EF Tours will send our group to a destination that is considered safe for tourist. Safety is always a major concern for EF.

What happens if a student misbehaves?This has not been a problem in the past; however, if there is a situation it will be handled based on the circumstance. For example, minor infractions (disrespect, late for departure…) could result in being accompanied by a personal chaperon during tours; however, if the circumstance involves alcohol or serious level of inappropriate behavior they can and will most likely be sent home immediately at the parent’s expense.

Is the trip fun?YES! Once you go on a learning adventure, you will want to go on another. Previous adventures have included England (2010), Paris (2010), Ireland (2012), Costa Rica (2013), and Italy (2015) which have all been with EF Tours, and will not be our last. We are already planning for many more learning adventures in the years to come Austria, Germany and Switzerland (2017), and Scotland, England and Paris (2018).

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